Is spousal support ordered in all divorce cases?

No, spousal support is not ordered in all divorce cases in Virginia. Spousal support is commonly referred to as alimony and it is typically ordered when one spouse has a financial need and the other has the ability to pay. When determining whether or not to award spousal support, courts consider the marriage’s duration, the couple’s standard of living during the marriage, each spouse’s age and physical and mental condition, the couple’s assets and liabilities, the amount of income each spouse earns, and the contributions each spouse made to the marriage. If the court decides to award spousal support, they have to decide the amount and the duration of payments. In Virginia, spousal support may be awarded as a lump sum payment, periodic payments, or a combination of both. The court may also require one spouse to make payments to a retraining fund to help the other spouse become self-supporting. Once the court awards spousal support, they cannot change the amount or the terms of payments unless there has been a significant change in circumstances. If a change in circumstances occurs, the dependent spouse is able to file a petition to modify or terminate the spousal support order. In conclusion, spousal support is not ordered in all divorce cases in Virginia, but it may be awarded to one spouse if there is a financial need and the other spouse has the ability to pay.

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Is spousal support ordered in all divorce cases?

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